amenity

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noun ame·ni·ty \ ə-ˈme-nə-tē , -ˈmē- \

Definition of amenity

plural amenities

1 :something that helps to provide comfort, convenience, or enjoyment

hotels with modern amenities

providing residents with the basic amenities

2 usually amenities :something (such as a conventional social gesture) that promotes smoothness or pleasantness in social relationships

maintaining social amenities

3 a :the quality of being pleasant or agreeable

b (1) :the attractiveness and value of real estate or of a residential structure

(2) :a feature conducive to such attractiveness and value

See amenity defined for English-language learners

See amenity defined for kids

Examples of amenity in a Sentence

The hotel has every amenity you could want.
an unhappy, bickering couple who, at least in public, observe all the amenities of polite behavior

Recent Examples of amenity from the Web

But the problem will be no greater than under the status quo, when so much of the money that flows to public universities is squandered on administrative bloat and luxurious campus amenities.

— conor friedersdorf, The Atlantic, "Imagining a Better Democratic Populism," 25 Aug. 2017
Dan Dutcher, Waukee's director of economic development, said money from Apple will be crucial for updating roads and building public amenities like parks.

— danielle paquette, chicagotribune.com, "Why Iowa is giving Apple $208 million for a project that will create 50 full-time jobs," 24 Aug. 2017
Its amenities include a main building and a parking area, two garages, two sheds and a salt storage dome.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "After 76 years, IDOT asks Naperville to annex maintenance yard, rezone for residential use," 5 Aug. 2017
In exchange, the developer would guarantee certain amenities such as open-air plazas, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and small parks.

— j. harry jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Plan to revitalize Poway Road coming soon," 4 Aug. 2017
WorkplaceDynamics asks workers questions that range from management effectiveness and workplace amenities to whether pay and benefits are competitive.

— u-t staff, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego's Top Workplace nominations extended to Aug. 11," 16 July 2017
The 12,000-square-foot facility at 3400 W. Olive Ave. is bigger than the company’s facility in Hollywood and offers more amenities for amateur and professional users of Canon’s products.

— anthony clark carpio, Burbank Leader, "Canon shoots for broader picture with new support facility in Burbank," 14 July 2017
At this communal workspace, the amenities are a bit more glamorous than the free wifi and coffee offered at most co-working spaces.

— lisa beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, "Here’s a First Look at h.Club LA, the Private Social Club Coming to Hollywood and Vine," 12 July 2017
But the concept of selling a neighborhood as an amenity, which is a traditional way of life in cities such as New York and San Francisco, is still untested in South Florida.

— rene rodriguez, miamiherald, "Miami is getting lots of new apartments, but you may not be able to afford them," 9 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amenity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of amenity

Middle English amenite, from Latin amoenitat-, amoenitas, from amoenus pleasant

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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amenity Synonyms

Synonyms

civility, attention, courtesy, formality, gesture, pleasantry, politeness

Antonyms

basic, essential, fundamental, must, necessity, requirement

Related Words

honors; ceremony, observance, rite, ritual; decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties; addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects; favor, grace, kindliness, kindness; protocol, rules

Near Antonyms

boorishness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, ungraciousness; biliousness, cantankerousness, churlishness, crankiness, fussiness, grouchiness, grumpiness, irascibility, irascibleness, irritability, peevishness, petulance, testiness; contentiousness, contrariness, orneriness, quarrelsomeness, querulousness; hostility, unfriendliness; sourness, vinegar

AMENITY Defined for English Language Learners

amenity

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noun

Definition of amenity for English Language Learners

: something that makes life easier or more pleasant

AMENITY Defined for Kids

amenity

play

noun ame·ni·ty \ ə-ˈmen-ə-tē , -ˈmē- \

Definition of amenity for Students

plural amenities

1 :the quality or characteristic of being pleasant or agreeable

2 amenities plural :something that makes life easier or more pleasant

Our hotel has many amenities.

Learn More about amenity

See words that rhyme with amenity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for amenity Spanish Central: Translation of amenity Nglish: Translation of amenity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of amenity for Arabic speakers

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AMENITY Defined for English Language Learners

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